Long before cultural tourism became widely embraced, before reconciliation entered the national conversation and before Aboriginal voices were routinely sought in conversations about caring for Country, proud Kabi Kabi Elder Aunty Beverly Hand was already leading the way.
Those decades of leadership were recently recognised with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the inaugural Sunshine Coast NAIDOC Awards, honouring a woman whose influence has changed how generations of people see and connect with Country.
For more than four decades, Aunty Beverley has challenged misconceptions through cultural education, truth-telling and immersive experiences on Country, strengthening respect for the authority, history and enduring presence of her people.
From school students and university researchers to decision-makers and visitors, those who have walked beside her have been invited to see the Sunshine Coast through an Aboriginal lens, where every place carries story, responsibility and thousands of years of uninterrupted connection.
Receiving the award from those who know her work best made the recognition especially meaningful.
"Through all the ups and downs, my dedication to caring for place and people on the Sunshine Coast has been recognised," she said.
For Aunty Beverley, the honour affirmed that her decades of advocacy, cultural leadership and service had not gone unnoticed.
With additional connections to the Wakka, Karnju and Cooma peoples, Aunty Beverley was raised in the cultural teachings of her Kabi Kabi great-grandfather, Fred Embrey, and has devoted her life to ensuring those teachings continue to guide future generations.
That vision inspired Walking Talking Country, an initiative which has encouraged thousands of people to experience the Sunshine Coast through First Nations knowledge systems rather than colonial narratives. By sharing culture where it belongs — on Country — she has continually challenged outdated assumptions about Aboriginal history and society.
Her hope is that people leave with a genuine appreciation of the sophistication of First Nations governance, environmental knowledge and cultural practice that existed long before colonisation.
"There is no way we were primitive," she said.
That unwavering commitment has also seen Aunty Beverley contribute to environmental management, cultural heritage and governance across the Sunshine Coast and Southeast Queensland. She has consistently advocated for Aboriginal voices to help shape decisions affecting Country, while her decades of leadership have also been recognised through an Honorary Senior Fellowship from the University of the Sunshine Coast.
Much of that advocacy began before the Native Title Act 1993 and gathered strength through the reconciliation movement. Inspired by her mother's example, she has continued creating opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to be represented across institutions, workplaces, education and environmental decision-making.
Recognition, however, has never been the destination.
Instead, Aunty Beverley has remained focused on leaving stronger foundations for those who follow. She hopes the next generation pursues its aspirations with confidence, turns obstacles into stepping stones and remains deeply connected to culture.
Her advice is both simple and timeless.
"Deeply listen for your ancestors, as they are walking with you," she said.
When reflecting on what she hopes will endure, Aunty Beverley does not speak about awards or personal milestones. Her focus turns to Bunya Dreaming, the annual celebration she has helped nurture over many years.
She hopes her children, alongside the dedicated collaborators who have stood beside her, will continue building the event so it remains a place where culture is lived, shared and strengthened.
The Lifetime Achievement Award celebrates an extraordinary contribution, but Aunty Beverley Hand's influence reaches far beyond a single accolade. It lives in every person whose perspective has been transformed, every young person who walks with pride in their identity, and every future leader who continues the path she has spent a lifetime clearing for others.
